Vortex Combustion Chamber for Flameless Microturbine Cogeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combustion chamber designs for gas micro-turbines fail to achieve a stable flameless combustion regime integrated with a gas micro-turbine, and the complexity of gas and air inlet ducts makes it difficult to implement efficient heat recovery and combustion gas recirculation systems.
Innovation Solution
A combustion chamber of the 'vortex' type with a cylindrical design, featuring tangential fuel gas injection and preheated air introduction through oriented slots to create a rapid air rotation vortex, combined with a heat recuperator that preheats air to above 800°C for flameless combustion, and a counter-current heat exchanger design for efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If flameless combustion is implemented with preheated air above 800°C, then NOx emissions are greatly reduced, but the configuration complexity of compressor-recovery-combustion chamber-turbine system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat recovery unit and combustion chamber into an integrated system where the heat recovery unit is directly coupled with the combustion chamber. This merging allows the preheated air from the heat recovery unit to directly enter the combustion chamber, eliminating the need for separate complex ducting systems while maintaining flameless combustion conditions above 800°C that reduce NOx emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The combustion chamber is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the combustion zone and part of the heat recovery system. The integrated design allows the same structure to perform both heating and combustion functions, simplifying the overall system configuration while achieving the dual goals of low NOx emissions and high efficiency.
2Productivity
If heat recovery unit is integrated with combustion chamber, then electrical efficiency increases, but the complexity of connecting and assembling the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat recovery unit and combustion chamber are merged into a single integrated structure, allowing direct coupling without complex external connections. This integration maintains high electrical efficiency by maximizing heat recovery while simplifying the assembly process through a unified design that eliminates multiple separate connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs a nested configuration where components are arranged concentrically or in nested patterns, allowing compact integration of the heat recovery unit within the combustion chamber structure. This nesting approach maximizes spatial efficiency and simplifies assembly by reducing the number of external connections required.
3Productivity
If combustion gases are recirculated to enable flameless combustion, then combustion efficiency improves, but the complexity of inlet ducts for gas and air increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation of combustion gases is integrated directly into the combustion chamber structure, eliminating the need for separate complex inlet ducting systems. The combined design allows combustion gases to be recirculated and mixed with fresh air and fuel directly within the chamber, maintaining high combustion efficiency while simplifying the ductwork configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a stable flameless combustion regime with low NOx production, achieving high electrical efficiency and effective heat recovery, ensuring a clean and efficient cogeneration process for electricity and heat production.
Implementation Method 1
at least one recuperator-exchanger of heat for preheating compressed combustion air from a compressor of the microturbine, before injecting this preheated air into the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 2
a counter-current heat exchanger design for efficient heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
A combustion chamber of the 'vortex' type with a cylindrical design, featuring tangential fuel gas injection and preheated air introduction through oriented slots to create a rapid air rotation vortex
Implementation Method 4
enables a stable flameless combustion regime with low NOx production, achieving high electrical efficiency and effective heat recovery
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power co-generation apparatus including a gas microturbine supplied by a "vortex" combustion chamber (1) for carrying out a "flameless" combustion mode and having at least one recovery device / heat exchanger (3) for preheating compressed combustion air from a compressor of the microturbine, before injecting said preheated air into the combustion chamber (1), characterised in that the combustion chamber (1) essentially includes a cylindrical chamber (2) comprising: a central tube (5) provided such that the preheated air is injected at a first end of the chamber (10) in a first annular zone (7) located between the outer wall of the combustion chamber (2) and the central tube (5); at a second end of the chamber (11), oriented slots (12) and injections of fuel gas (4) into the central tube (5), arranged to quickly rotate the preheated air injected via said slots (12) into the central tube (5) according to a flow vortex parallel to the axis of the combustion chamber and to provide the intimate mixture of the preheated air, the fuel gas and the combustion gases inside the central tube (5) at a main, central combustion area (8); and an annular outlet (14) for the combustion gases located in the central tube (5) at the first end (10) of the chamber (2) and connected to a distributor of the turbine.